Major Events of the Crusades The First Crusade started in 1095 and lasted until 1099. It started when Emperor Alexius I of Byzantine wanted help from Christian nations in defending Byzantine and the rest of Europe, from Muslim Seljuk Turks. Pope Urban II told Christians to go and fight because this would grant them pretty much a free pass into heaven. The main event was the seizing and capture of Jerusalem in 1099, which led to the establishment of four Crusader kingdoms.
The Second Crusade was from 1147 to 1149, during which the Turks managed to recapture Edessa, a Crusader Kingdom in what is now southeast Turkey. The only major event in this was that Christian soldiers caputred Lisbon (Portugal) from the Moors.
The Third Crusade lasted from 1187-1192. The Muslims, came together under Saladin and lead a successful campaign against the Crusaders. Pope Gregory VIII called for another large-scale Crusade to recapture the Holy Land. Those who responded were Phillip II of France, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, and Richard III (Richard the Lionheart). The Crusaders had victories conquering Cyprus and Acre, and defeating the Muslims at Arsuf, as well.
There were a few other "Crusades", but they accomplished little. These three are the main ones.
Richard the Lionheart in the battle of the Third Crusade.
The First Crusade started in 1095 and lasted until 1099. It started when Emperor Alexius I of Byzantine wanted help from Christian nations in defending Byzantine and the rest of Europe, from Muslim Seljuk Turks. Pope Urban II told Christians to go and fight because this would grant them pretty much a free pass into heaven. The main event was the seizing and capture of Jerusalem in 1099, which led to the establishment of four Crusader kingdoms.
The Second Crusade was from 1147 to 1149, during which the Turks managed to recapture Edessa, a Crusader Kingdom in what is now southeast Turkey. The only major event in this was that Christian soldiers caputred Lisbon (Portugal) from the Moors.
The Third Crusade lasted from 1187-1192. The Muslims, came together under Saladin and lead a successful campaign against the Crusaders. Pope Gregory VIII called for another large-scale Crusade to recapture the Holy Land. Those who responded were Phillip II of France, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, and Richard III (Richard the Lionheart). The Crusaders had victories conquering Cyprus and Acre, and defeating the Muslims at Arsuf, as well.
There were a few other "Crusades", but they accomplished little. These three are the main ones.
Richard the Lionheart in the battle of the Third Crusade.